(UPDATE: SUMMER 2025) What’s going on, Soccermanagerite? Ready for another banger of an episode? I was actually supposed to be talking about the ‘Finisher’ role like I mentioned back in episode 25, but things have changed (for the better). As a matter of fact, it’s really fitting that the role we will be discussing today consists of players who can actually play as a ‘Finisher’ based on the attributes they provide. Yes lads, we’re going over the 2nd type of ‘Target Man’ today: The ‘Explosive Target Man‘
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The ‘Explosive Target Man’ is my favorite kind of target man. They possess the important hold up play ability that every ‘Target Man’ needs with the caveat of being extremely quick, mobile and effective on the dribble. Like I mentioned in the intro, ‘Explosive Target Men’ have a resemblance to the ‘Finisher’ role in that both have very good movement off the ball, speed and dribbling ability. There is one glaring difference between both roles but we’ll go over it once we get to the ‘Finisher’ role episode.
ATTACKING PHASE
Just like the ‘Robust Target Man’, ‘Explosive Target Men’ will always aim to do the bare minimum of bringing teammates into the game, but here is where their similarities end as ‘Explosive Target Men’ are always looking to use their pace to get in behind of the defense, they like to drift wide at times to use their explosive dribbling abilities, and they are of course brilliant in the air when attacking crosses coming into the box.
DEFENSIVE PHASE
Another great benefit of using an ‘Explosive T.M’ is that they are very hardworking players in defensive situations. They also possess the aerial ability needed when it comes to defending set pieces, but they are also exceptional pressers who allow Managers to play any sort of pressing style.
POSITIONAL TRAITS
Out of the 3 ‘Target Man’ roles, ‘Explosive Target Men’ showcase the most versatility when it comes to where they can play on the pitch. Of course, their main position is as a F(C), but they are also comfortable playing in the AM,F(RL) positions, albeit when they do play outwide they become less effective since their natural tendency is to want to get into the box and not be involved in build up play that much (similar to a ‘Wide Forward’ but less capable).
I must also add that ‘Explosive Target Men’ may be confused with ‘General Forwards’ based on where they can play within Soccermanager, but please do not confuse the two since ‘Explosive Target Men’ aren’t that great playing anywhere other than as a F(C). If you’re ever wondering if a player is an ‘Explosive Target Man’ or a ‘General Forward’, this is where the attributes within SM23 (Now SM26) come in handy as it is a great differentiator. If you don’t have any access to SM23’s attributes then feel free to reach out to me in the best way that you possibly can.
One final note to mention, ‘Explosive Target Men’ are comfortable playing up top by themselves or in a strike partnership. However, you must make sure that his partner is more of a creative type player who likes the ball to their feet, and ALWAYS REMEMBER to tick the ‘Use Target Man’ box. (UPDATE: Choose ‘Yes’)
KEY ATTRIBUTES (From SM26 and beyond)
Positioning
Movement
Dribbling (Dosen’t always have to have a high rating)
Finishing
Aerial Ability
Pace
Strength
Work Rate
Composure
Leadership
BEST PLAYERS OF ROLE IN SOCCERMANAGER WORLDS
UPDATE: As I explained within the ‘Robust Target Man’ episode, you cannot class a Chris Wood as an ‘Explosive Target Man’ which is the exact reason why these blogs in particular had to be created. And, this list is the 15 best ‘E.T.M’s’ within SMW, not the 15 best based on current real life form (I’ll also leave some honorable mentions).
Romelu Lukaku 🇧🇪
Alexander Isak 🇸🇪
Marcus Thuram 🇫🇷
Gabriel Jesus 🇧🇷
Patrik Schick 🇨🇿
Jhon Durán 🇨🇴
Randal Kolo Muani 🇫🇷
Hugo Ekitiké 🇫🇷
Benjamin Sesko 🇸🇮
Darwin Núñez 🇺🇾
Michy Batshuayi 🇧🇪
Youssef En-Neysri 🇲🇦
Moise Kean 🇮🇹
Guilherme Pedro 🇧🇷
Samu Aghehowa 🇪🇸
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Duván Zapata 🇨🇴
Yussuf Poulsen 🇩🇰
Mathys Tel 🇫🇷
Breel Embolo 🇨🇭
Emanuel Emegha 🇳🇱
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